colostomy

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Specializes in Long Term Facilitly.

I have several colostomies on my unit and when I empty/change them, many of the staff make comments when they walk down the about the odor. My hall is the hall that leads to the breakroom, so many staff walk down the hall. Staff is aware these residents have colostomies and I think it is rude for the patient and the staff members who work the hall to hear "Gosh, it stinks down here!" and other remarks. I spray and then they say "that makes it even worse". I read up about bismuth gallate, is this product used in nursing homes frequently? I have never seen it used. Or does anybody have suggestions to decrease the odor.

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.

I would just tell them to stuff it and remember that there is a person behind that smell that is already embarrassed that they have a colostomy at all.

Taitter

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Specializes in Spinal rehab, Acute Stroke, Surg, renal.

am big on eucalyptus oil. well how i do it is i put some in warm water for maybe 5 minutes before bag change, and keep it there till maybe 15 minutes after. well works sometimes

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Specializes in ED.
I have several colostomies on my unit and when I empty/change them, many of the staff make comments when they walk down the about the odor. My hall is the hall that leads to the breakroom, so many staff walk down the hall. Staff is aware these residents have colostomies and I think it is rude for the patient and the staff members who work the hall to hear "Gosh, it stinks down here!" and other remarks. I spray and then they say "that makes it even worse". I read up about bismuth gallate, is this product used in nursing homes frequently? I have never seen it used. Or does anybody have suggestions to decrease the odor.

A NP that I worked with during my first year of nursing school taught us to open some coffee grounds and it will absorb all the odor. This probably isn't practical in all settings but works! Sounds weird but it really did make the smells disappear. She is the only nurse I have met that did that though!! She just got a filter and put a bag of the grounds in it near or in the room.

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a good solution is new colostomy bag that comes with filters, it will trap the odor and it works wonderful. I did home care for 2 years and seen a variety of new bags, the trick is to get the facitily to order them.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

They sell deodorants that go directly into the ostomy back that are very effective in diminishing the scent. Sometimes they can be quite..... odoriferous :o coffee grounds.... that sounds like a great idea!

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An old timer nurse told me it works to put an aspirin in the colosomy bag, but I've never tried it.

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Vinegar will soak up any smell, but some people (my husband) thinks it smells worse than the original offending odor.

Your co-workers know they work in a hospital, right? I've never been in one, or LTC facility, that didn't have more than it's share of odors.

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

peppermint oil. our pharmacy carried it. just put a lil bit (its strong!) on a gauze pad and stick it somewhere central. we actually used to put 2x2's in the air vents (yes i know thats bad) to blow the peppermint smell around when we had a bad GI bleed or fresh burn come through.

in the GI lab, we 10:1 water:bleach solution to clean out the stool suction canisters and it works really well. that is if you can handle the smell of clorox.

and as for your co-workers, tell them that listerine pocket packs or burt's bees works well for stinky smells. put a dab of burt's bees lippy under your nose and on your lips. you will breathe in menthol. or buy a pack of the listerine strips and put a strip in your mouth and it will instantly kill anything you are smelling.

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Specializes in Transgender Medicine.

My instructors have told me to carry some Vick's vapor rub with me at clinicals. Swab it under or in the nose and you can't smell anything but Vick's!

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Specializes in Med/Surg. for now.

On our floor we use both the coffee grounds and also peppermint oil on a cotton ball in a med cup....works pretty well...

:w00t:Paula

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I have several colostomies on my unit and when I empty/change them, many of the staff make comments when they walk down the about the odor. My hall is the hall that leads to the breakroom, so many staff walk down the hall. Staff is aware these residents have colostomies and I think it is rude for the patient and the staff members who work the hall to hear "Gosh, it stinks down here!" and other remarks. I spray and then they say "that makes it even worse". I read up about bismuth gallate, is this product used in nursing homes frequently? I have never seen it used. Or does anybody have suggestions to decrease the odor.

First, I want to make it clear I am not a nurse, but an aide. I have had several pt's who drop an aspirin in their bag and it completely covers the odor. You smell nothing. Something you could bring up to the dr's as it's cheap and you can get it OTC.

I too think it's rude for others to say that. Like the pt's don't feel bad enough. I have crohn's, and an ostomy was an option for me. All I could think of was the odor. Yes, it smells but grow up and act professional! When I hear someone make a comment that an ostomy smells I remind them that everyone poops and everyone's poop stinks so they need to watch their mouth.

Next time a nurse/aide/or other employee makes a comment, remind them how they would feel if they had an ostomy and others (who are supposed to act professional) were complaining about the odor. I'm sure it bothers the pt's also but it's something that has to be done.

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